- Provided server support for all services on campus
- Implemented server monitoring packages
- Managed backup software solutions
- Updated, managed, and supported all server platforms
- Trained colleagues and new-hires
- Implemented projects from start to finish
- Took responsibility for the administration of the campus wireless network
- Streamlined workflows and automated routine tasks
- Replaced obsolete and end-of-life services
- Assisted in migration of core databases to a central SUNY data center
- Mentored student workers
When I started, SUNY Brockport offered an opportunity like I had not had in years. The ability to manage and positively influence the services for the entire campus, bringing some much-needed updates to how things were being done.
The range of things that needed to be brought current was staggering. Once ideas and plans were presented, a go-ahead was given and I was able to start implementing some much needed change. Not all the ideas were popular with everyone, but there are some areas that colleges need to look at differently than private industry, and that’s where most issues manifested.
Over the years there were many changes that happened, more than I can summarize even in this form. Changes from how email filtering was handled, to where email was hosted. The number of VMs grew while the number of physical systems decreased. Databases housing student data was consolidated into a data center managed by a branch of SUNY that was focused on that application. One CMS (Course Management System) was bought by the other and that was consolidated and migrated.
Application hosting that had been done in-house was moved out to the vendor and services that would have required HIPAA were smoothly moved to services who had the manpower to provide that service.
Meanwhile, requirements for student tools increase, new applications came on board, and the wireless infrastructure was completely replaced with no one having prior experience with the new product.
The range of projects covered server and user support topics from one end of the spectrum to the other. Network management and discussions were regularly involved in what was going on, and there were frequent periods where only one person was performing the job that three should have been doing (due to hiring freezes and/or delays in people starting).
There were a few reasons for leaving this position, but the largest ultimately was that there was no opportunity for growth. With two managers having retired, it was decided to bypass everyone in our team and bring in someone else who, even after working with us for 6 months, still didn’t have a firm handle on what we were doing or how to get the things we needed to continue doing the job right.
I had some things I wanted to do with my life, even if it was only for a short period. As a result, I resigned the position to explore those options.